PHARMACEUTICALS

Amendments

Children and youth: improve safety and efficacy for children (S. 838), S10816, S10844, S10848 [18OC]

Articles and editorials

Despite Legal Victory, South Africa Hesitates on AIDS Drugs, H1528 [24AP]

Global AIDS Strategy May Prove Elusive—More Funds Available, but Consensus Lacking, H1529 [24AP]

High-Tech Stealth Being Used To Sway Doctor Prescriptions, E1422 [25JY]

Learn From Haiti, H9105 [11DE]

Longer Lines for Flu Shots—Increase Attributed in Part to Anxiety About Anthrax, S11991 [16NO]

Bills and resolutions

Animals: increase the availability of drugs for minor species and rare diseases in all animals (see H.R. 1956), H2678 [23MY]

Children and youth: amend certain laws relative to pediatric studies of drugs (see H.R. 3047), H6379 [4OC]

———improve safety and efficacy for children (see S. 838), S4416 [7MY] (see S. 1301), S8575 [1AU] (see S. 1789), S12682 [7DE] (see H.R. 2887), H5615 [13SE] (see H.R. 3452), H9239 [11DE]

Consumers: provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (see H.R. 2801), H5337 [2AU]

Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (see S. 104), S100 [22JA] (see H.R. 1111), H1011 [20MR]

Cuba: make exception to trade embargo for food, medicines, and goods and services intended for children, lift travel restrictions, and provide scholarships for certain Cuban nationals (see S. 1017), S6127 [12JN] (see H.R. 2138), H3067 [12JN]

Dept. of HHS: prepare and publish annually a consumer guide to prescription drug prices (see H.R. 2660), H4724 [26JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (see H. Res. 29), H221 [7FE]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (see H.R. 1136), H1012 [20MR] (see H.R. 1717), H1923 [3MY]

———standardize copayment exemption levels for outpatient medications (see S. 1408), S9197 [6SE]

———suspend authority to increase copayment for medication furnished on an outpatient basis for treatment of service-connected disabilities (see H.R. 2671), H4779 [27JY] (see H.R. 2820), H5337 [2AU]

Developing countries: prohibit export assistance to any company challenging an intellectual property law or policy of a country that regulates HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals or medical technologies (see H.R. 1690), H1860 [2MY]

———prohibit revocation or revision of any intellectual property or competition law or policy in any country that regulates HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals or medical technologies (see H.R. 1185), H1113 [22MR]

Diseases: expand assistance to countries seriously affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis (see S. 1230), S8123 [24JY]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries (see S. 463), S1897 [6MR] (see H.R. 933), H740 [7MR] (see H.R. 2069), H2955 [6JN]

Drugs: correct impediments to allowing importation of prescription drugs into the U.S. by pharmacists and wholesalers for resale and by U.S. citizens for personal use (see H.R. 58), H26 [3JA]

———discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries (see H. Res. 26), H166 [31JA]

———distribution chain of prescription drugs (see S. 1132), S7083 [28JN] (see H.R. 68), H26 [3JA]

———encourage the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate price controls imposed by Mexico and Canada on prescription drugs (see H. Con. Res. 126), H1924 [3MY]

———enhance competition for prescription drugs by increasing enforcement of existing antitrust laws relative to brand name and generic drugs (see S. 754), S3706 [6AP] (see H.R. 1063), H953 [15MR] (see H.R. 1530), H1498 [4AP]

———permit individuals to import prescription drugs in limited circumstances (see S. 1229), S8123 [24JY]

———regulate receipt of donated prescription drug samples by charitable health care entities (see H.R. 2740), H5334 [2AU]

———study approved drugs for whether their use affects women differently than men (see H.R. 2783), H5336 [2AU]

FDA: establish restrictions relative to the qualifications of physicians prescribing the abortion drug known as RU-486 (see S. 251), S1062 [6FE] (see H.R. 482), H221 [7FE]

———establish therapeutic equivalence requirements for generic drugs (see H.R. 1685), H1860 [2MY]

———permit import of prescription medications sold in certain foreign countries and correct impediments in implementation of the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act (see S. 215), S707 [30JA]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend relative to clinically superior modifications to previously approved or licensed drugs (see H.R. 386), H165 [31JA]

———amend relative to new animal drugs (see S. 1346), S8705 [2AU]

———provide greater access to affordable pharmaceuticals (see S. 812), S4100 [1MY] (see H.R. 1862), H2280 [16MY]

Foreign Assistance Act: improve immunization injection safety in disease control programs (see H.R. 2453), H3861 [10JY]

Foreign trade: importation of certain prescription drugs by pharmacists and wholesalers (see H.R. 698), H397 [14FE]

Hazardous substances: ensure prompt research, development, and distribution of new drugs, biologics, and medical devices that prevent or mitigate the consequences of a chemical or biological terrorist attack (see S. 1635), S11488 [6NO] (see H.R. 3457), H9239 [11DE]

Health: allow access to drugs and medical devices recommended and provided by health care practitioners that are not approved by the FDA (see S. 1378), S8911 [3AU] (see H.R. 1964), H2678 [23MY]

———availability of influenza vaccine (see H.R. 943), H825 [8MR]

———conduct oversight hearings to determine the causes and outcomes surrounding the influenza vaccine shortage (see H. Res. 11), H28 [3JA]

———emergency distributions of influenza vaccine (see H.R. 910), H739 [7MR]

———establish compulsory licensing of certain patented medical inventions (see H.R. 3235), H7852 [6NO]

———improve access to prescription drugs under Medicare and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and health care coverage for seniors, the self-employed, and children (see H.R. 1387), H1481 (see H.R. 1387), H1491 [4AP]

Insurance: provide access and choice for use of generic drugs under Federal health care programs (see S. 186), S568 [25JA]

———require comprehensive coverage for childhood immunizations (see S. 1297), S8575 [1AU] (see H.R. 580), H323 [13FE]

Iraq: provide citizens access to U.S. food and medicines (see H.R. 742), H441 [27FE]

Medicaid: clarify Dept. of HHS authority to treat certain State prescription drug discount demonstration projects as medical assistance for purposes of rebate agreements (see S. 1177), S7589 [12JY] (see H.R. 2513), H4111 [17JY]

———permit children covered under the State Children's Health Insurance Program to be eligible for the Federal Vaccines for Children Program (see S. 573), S2582 [20MR] (see H.R. 2701), H5125 [1AU]

Medicare: coverage of home infusion drug therapies (see H.R. 2750), H5334 [2AU]

———coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for beneficiaries who receive an organ transplant (see S. 1204), S7955 [19JY]

———coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for beneficiaries who receive an organ transplant without regard to when the transplant was received (see H.R. 2057), H2888 [5JN]

———coverage of oral anticancer drugs (see S. 913), S5118 [17MY] (see H.R. 1624), H1659 [26AP]

———coverage of oral drugs to reduce serum phosphate levels in patients with end stage renal disease (see S. 1304), S8703 [2AU] (see H.R. 3246), H7909 [7NO]

———coverage of oral drugs to treat low blood calcium levels or elevated parathyroid hormone levels for patients with end stage renal disease (see H.R. 121), H59 [6JA]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (see S. 10), S97 [22JA] (see S. 925), S5438 [22MY] (see S. 1185), S7805 [17JY] (see S. Res. 74), S3922 [25AP] (see H.R. 339), H163 [31JA] (see H.R. 1512), H1498 [4AP] (see H.R. 1905), H2333 [17MY] (see H.R. 2632), H4633 [25JY]

———coverage of pharmacist services (see S. 974), S5694 [25MY] (see H.R. 2799), H5336 [2AU]

———coverage of self-administered drugs that, when used as a replacement for covered drugs, result in overall cost savings to the program (see H.R. 3317), H8337 [16NO]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug coverage program (see S. 1263), S8353 [27JY]

———establish voluntary outpatient prescription drug discount and security program (see S. 1239), S8203 [25JY]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals (see S. 554), S2388 [15MR] (see H.R. 1089), H959 [19MR]

———expand coverage of preventive services and provide coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (see H.R. 828), H622 [1MR]

———extend coverage of immunosuppressive drugs to cases of transplants not paid for under the program (see H.R. 3032), H6379 [4OC]

———improve payments and regulation under the Medicare+Choice program (see H.R. 3584), H10964 [20DE]

———make more competitive and efficient, extend solvency, provide a prescription drug benefit, improve quality of care, and make Medigap insurance more affordable (see H.R. 803), H507 [28FE]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (see S. 357, 358), S1463 [15FE]

———provide adequate coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for certain kidney transplant patients (see S. 880), S4939 [15MY] (see H.R. 1839), H2183 [15MY]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (see S. 125), S100 [22JA] (see S. 699), S3436 [4AP] (see H.R. 1400), H1482 (see H.R. 1400), H1491 [4AP]

———reductions in prescription drug prices for beneficiaries and women with breast cancer (see H.R. 758), H442 [27FE]

———reform (see S. 1135), S7084 [28JN]

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: amend (see H.R. 1287), H1343 [29MR]

NIH: biomedical research funding (see S. Res. 19), S1271 [13FE] (see H. Res. 72), H507 [28FE]

NSF: establish grants to encourage research and development programs in plant biotechnology (see H.R. 2912), H5925 [21SE]

Patents: establish compulsory licensing of certain patented prescription drugs and medical inventions (see H.R. 1708), H1923 [3MY]

Prices: provide for prices that are fair to the producer and the consumer (see H.R. 1574), H1555 [24AP]

Public Health Service Act: amend relative to pharmacy health professions programs (see S. 1806), S12859 [11DE] (see H.R. 2173), H3201 [14JN]

Sudan: provide compensation for injury and property damages as a result of the bombing in Khartoum (see H.R. 894), H649 [6MR]

———U.S. Court of Claims consideration of claims for compensation for injury and property damages as a result of the bombing in Khartoum (see H. Res. 81), H649 [6MR]

Taxation: allow a deduction for amounts paid for health insurance and prescription drug costs of individuals (see H.R. 383), H165 [31JA] (see H.R. 1127), H1011 [20MR]

———allow designation of income tax refunds for use in NIH biomedical research programs (see H.R. 1340), H1407 [3AP]

———allow drug manufacturers a tax credit if they certify that the price of a drug in the U.S. is not greater than its price in Canada or Mexico (see H.R. 946), H826 [8MR]

———allow Medicare beneficiaries a refundable credit for purchase of outpatient prescription drugs (see S. 1600), S11286 [31OC]

———expand human clinical trials qualifying for the orphan drug credit (see S. 1341), S8704 [2AU] (see H.R. 1298), H1344 [29MR]

———reduce the per dose tax on vaccines (see S. 459), S1897 [6MR] (see H.R. 921), H740 [7MR]

———treatment of certain gifts and benefits provided to physicians by prescription drug manufacturers (see H.R. 2641), H4634 [25JY]

———treatment of direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription drugs that fail to provide certain information to the consumer (see H.R. 2352), H3712 [27JN]

Veterans: exempt prescription drugs and medical supplies dispensed by Dept. of Veterans Affairs pharmacies from interest and administrative cost charges (see H.R. 890), H649 [6MR]

Factsheets

AIDS Epidemic Update: WHO, H9098-H9104 [11DE]

Letters

Importation of prescription drugs into the U.S. by U.S. citizens for personal use: William B. Simpkins, DEA, H3892, H3895 [11JY]

———William K. Hubbard, FDA, H3893 [11JY]

Investigation into Bristol-Myers Squibb, Inc., representation of average wholesale prices of prescription drugs relative to Medicare reimbursement: Representative Stark, E244 [28FE]

Mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission prevention funding: Robert M. Lester, AID, E1392 [20JY]

Memorandums

Approval of Generic Versions of Drugs Without Pediatric Labeling, H10209 [18DE]

———Laurence H. Tribe, E2286-E2288 [13DE]

———Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (law firm), H8106 [13NO]

Press releases

HHS, Bayer Agree to Cipro Purchase, S11189 [30OC]

Proclamations

Voluntary Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Discount and Security Program: National Pharmaceutical Association, E1631 [11SE]

Remarks in House

Animals: increase the availability of drugs for minor species and rare diseases in all animals (H.R. 1956), E904 [23MY]

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Inc.: investigation into representation of average wholesale prices of prescription drugs relative to Medicare reimbursement, E244 [28FE]

Children and youth: improve safety and efficacy for children (H.R. 2887), H7562 [31OC], H7727 [6NO], H8094-H8107 [13NO], H8166 [14NO], H8551 [28NO], E2073 [14NO], E2103 [15NO], E2114 [16NO], E2286 [13DE]

———improve safety and efficacy for children (S. 1789), H10200-H10212 [18DE], E2368, E2389 [20DE]

Chile: approval of certain abortifacients, E1000 [5JN]

Consumers: provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (H.R. 2801), E1537, E1542 [3AU]

Contraceptives: eliminate coverage for women in Federal health insurance plans and freeze family planning programs funding, H1608 [26AP]

DEA: enforcement of Controlled Substances Act relative to assisted suicide and euthanasia, H7786 [6NO]

Dept. of HHS: prepare and publish annually a consumer guide to prescription drug prices (H.R. 2660), E1440 [26JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease, H4696 [26JY]

———authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (H. Res. 29), E112 [6FE]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners, H4702, H4703 [26JY]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (H.R. 1717), E714 [3MY]

———suspend authority to increase copayment for medication furnished on an outpatient basis for treatment of service-connected disabilities (H.R. 2820), H8848, H8890 [5DE], H10951 [20DE]

Developing countries: prohibit revocation or revision of any intellectual property or competition law or policy in any country that regulates HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals or medical technologies, H8979 [6DE]

Diseases: expand assistance to countries seriously affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, E1877 [12OC]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries, H813 [8MR], H904 [14MR], H995-H1003 [20MR], H1528-H1530 [24AP], H1562 [25AP], H1848-H1855 [2MY], H2255 [16MY], H3688 [27JN]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries (H.R. 2069), H9089-H9106 [11DE], E1026 [6JN], E2273 [13DE], E2327 [19DE]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries (H.R. 933), H997 [20MR], E400 [20MR]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in the Caribbean nations, E1261 [29JN], E1403 [24JY]

———improve diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS in women and children, H908 [14MR]

———safety of certain medications approved for use by diabetes patients, E2207 [5DE]

Drugs: allow importation of prescription drugs into the U.S. by pharmacists and wholesalers for resale and by U.S. citizens for personal use, H3598 [26JN], H3624 [27JN], H3756 [28JN], H3880-H3889 [11JY], E1345 [17JY]

———allow importation of prescription drugs into the U.S. by U.S. citizens for personal use, H3494 [25JN], H3789 [28JN], H3871, H3890-H3897 [11JY], E1345 [17JY]

———discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, H1837-H1841 [2MY], H3598 [26JN], H3624 [27JN], H3756 [28JN], H3851-H3858 [10JY]

———discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries (H. Res. 26), E98 [1FE]

———distribution chain of prescription drugs (H.R. 68), E2 [3JA]

———require the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into negotiations to eliminate price controls imposed by certain foreign countries on prescription drugs, E704 [2MY]

FDA: approval of generic versions of drugs without pediatric labeling relative to exclusive marketing rights agreements, H8551 [28NO], H10209 [18DE], E2286 [13DE]

———approval of the abortion drug known as RU-486, E123 [6FE]

———food safety programs for foodborne threats funding through reductions in Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act funding, H3918 [11JY]

———Office of Generic Drugs funding, H3778, H3779 [28JN]

———prohibit funding to prevent importation into the U.S. of certain approved drugs, H3690 [27JN]

———reallocation of funding to the Office of Generic Drugs to evaluate and review potential patent abuses, H3919-H3921 [11JY]

———require new drug applications include a statement specifying the total cost of research and development, H3921 [11JY]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug coverage, H4562 [25JY], H7542 [31OC]

Foreign aid: mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission prevention funding, H4344, H4345 [19JY], E1392 [20JY]

Hazardous substances: recall and suspend use of vaccines containing mercury and certain other chemical substances, H10206 [18DE]

Health: dangers of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, H7392 [30OC], H7561 [31OC], H7726 [6NO]

———improve access to prescription drugs under Medicare and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and health care coverage for seniors, the self-employed, and children (H.R. 1387), H1474 [4AP], H1834 [2MY]

Insurance: comprehensive coverage for childhood immunizations funding, H10433 [19DE]

———require comprehensive coverage for childhood immunizations (H.R. 580), E163 [13FE]

Jacobus Pharmaceutical Co.: tribute, E1351 [18JY]

Medicaid: permit children covered under the State Children's Health Insurance Program to be eligible for the Federal Vaccines for Children Program (H.R. 2701), E1509 [2AU]

Medicare: coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, H309-H311 [13FE], H820 [8MR], H1160, H1175 [27MR], H1471-H1475 [4AP], H1507-H1515 [24AP], H1575, H1594, H1596 [25AP], H1702, H1705, H1707 [1MY], H1835-H1842 [2MY], H2005 [8MY], H2862, H2866-H2870 [5JN], H3032-H3038 [12JN], H3690 [27JN], H5383 [5SE]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (H.R. 2632), H6413 [5OC]

———protection of certain trust funds in coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, H1507-H1515 [24AP]

———reductions in prescription drug prices for beneficiaries and women with breast cancer (H.R. 758), H1110 [22MR]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (H.R. 1400), H1584, H1587 [25AP], H1838 [2MY], H2867 [5JN], E1315 [11JY]

———reimbursement of prescription drug costs at the average wholesale price, E44 [30JA]

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: amend (H.R. 1287), E488 [29MR]

NIH: biomedical research funding, E449 [27MR]

NSF: establish grants to encourage research and development programs in plant biotechnology, E1678 [20SE]

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: prohibit funding to initiate World Trade Organization proceedings challenging policies in developing countries relative to HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals, H4178-H4187 [18JY], E1420 [25JY]

Research: reinstate reasonable pricing requirements for drugs developed with Federal funding or research, H6666 [11OC], E1881 [12OC]

———relationship between medical research institutes and for-profit companies relative to NIH research money and drug prices, H170 [6FE]

Taxation: allow a deduction for amounts paid for health insurance and prescription drug costs of individuals (H.R. 1127), H961 [20MR]

———allow a deduction for amounts paid for health insurance and prescription drug costs of individuals (H.R. 383), E94 [1FE]

———allow drug manufacturers a tax credit if they certify that the price of a drug in the U.S. is not greater than its price in Canada or Mexico (H.R. 946), E317 [8MR]

———expand human clinical trials qualifying for the orphan drug credit (H.R. 1298), E488 [29MR]

———treatment of certain gifts and benefits provided to physicians by prescription drug manufacturers (H.R. 2641), E1421 [25JY]

———treatment of direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription drugs that fail to provide certain information to the consumer (H.R. 2352), E1225 [27JN]

Veterans: exempt prescription drugs and medical supplies dispensed by Dept. of Veterans Affairs pharmacies from interest and administrative cost charges (H.R. 890), E290 [6MR]

———prioritization of veterans programs funding relative to war on terrorism and economic recovery, H7834 [6NO]

Remarks in Senate

Bayer Corp.: tribute to donation of antibiotic for use by Federal employees, S11189 [30OC]

Beaulac, Tim: Pharmacist of the Year award recipient, S6444 [19JN]

Budget: allocation of funds, S1923-S1925 [7MR]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: smallpox vaccination for first responders funding, S13786 [20DE]

Children and youth: improve safety and efficacy for children (S. 838), S4422-S4425 [7MY], S10816-S10819, S10826-S10831 [18OC], S10871-S10873 [23OC]

———improve safety and efficacy for children (S. 1301), S8597-S8599 [1AU]

———improve safety and efficacy for children (S. 1789), S12752 [7DE], S12755 [10DE], S13070 [12DE]

Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (S. 104), S375-S377 [22JA]

Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Council Center: Dept. of Veterans' Affairs Robert W. Carey Quality Award recipient, S9390 [13SE]

Cuba: condition the financing of agricultural and medical exports on certification that convicted felons living as fugitives in Cuba are returned to the U.S., S13103-S13110 [13DE]

———condition the financing of agricultural and medical exports on certification that the Cuban government is not a sponsor of international terrorism, S13102-S13110 [13DE], S13455, S13456 [18DE]

———make exception to trade embargo for food, medicines, and goods and services intended for children, lift travel restrictions, and provide scholarships for certain Cuban nationals (S. 1017), S6135, S6136 [12JN]

DEA: enforcement of Controlled Substances Act relative to assisted suicide and euthanasia, S11564 [7NO]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: standardize copayment exemption levels for outpatient medications (S. 1408), S9198 [6SE]

Diseases: expand assistance to countries seriously affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis (S. 1230), S8132 [24JY]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries, S3479-S3481, S3520 [5AP], S6886 [26JN]

———improve access to HIV/AIDS-related treatments and services in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries (S. 463), S1902 [6MR]

Drugs: allow importation of prescription drugs into the U.S. by pharmacists and wholesalers for resale and by U.S. citizens for personal use, S7440 [11JY], S7871 [18JY], S11071 [25OC]

———discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, S7871 [18JY], S11071 [25OC]

———distribution chain of prescription drugs (S. 1132), S7104 [28JN]

———enhance competition for prescription drugs by increasing enforcement of existing antitrust laws relative to brand name and generic drugs (S. 754), S3760 [6AP]

———permit individuals to import prescription drugs in limited circumstances (S. 1229), S8131 [24JY]

FDA: permit import of prescription medications sold in certain foreign countries and correct impediments in implementation of the Medicine Equity and Drug Safety Act (S. 215), S775 [30JA], S7440 [11JY]

———response to shortage of betamethasone drugs relative to premature delivery of babies, S5528 [23MY]

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program: coverage of contraceptives under any plan providing prescription drug coverage, S9495 [19SE]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend relative to new animal drugs (S. 1346), S8768 [2AU]

Health: allow access to drugs and medical devices recommended and provided by health care practitioners that are not approved by the FDA (S. 1378), S8951 [3AU]

———availability of influenza vaccine, S11990, S11991 [16NO]

Insurance: provide access and choice for use of generic drugs under Federal health care programs (S. 186), S572 [25JA], S8394 [30JY]

———provide coverage of mental health services and prescription drugs, S7179 [29JN]

———require comprehensive coverage for childhood immunizations (S. 1297), S8593 [1AU]

Medicaid: clarify Dept. of HHS authority to treat certain State prescription drug discount demonstration projects as medical assistance for purposes of rebate agreements (S. 1177), S7594, S7595 [12JY]

———permit children covered under the State Children's Health Insurance Program to be eligible for the Federal Vaccines for Children Program (S. 573), S2588 [20MR]

Medicare: coverage of oral anticancer drugs (S. 913), S5125, S5126 [17MY]

———coverage of oral drugs to reduce serum phosphate levels in patients with end stage renal disease (S. 1304), S8710 [2AU]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S1167 [8FE], S1669, S1671 [28FE], S2576 [20MR], S3298-S3326 [3AP], S3474 [5AP], S3666 [6AP], S4789 [10MY], S5083-S5086 [17MY], S5249 [21MY], S5505 [23MY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 10), S155 [22JA]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 925), S5444-S5447 [22MY], S8153 [25JY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 1185), S7718 [16JY], S7809, S7818 [17JY]

———coverage of outpatient prescription drugs (S. Res. 74), S3927 [25AP]

———coverage of pharmacist services (S. 974), S5706 [25MY]

———expand coverage of certain self-injected biologicals (S. 554), S2409 [15MR]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (S. 357), S1500 [15FE]

———make more competitive and efficient and provide for a prescription drug benefit (S. 358), S1500 [15FE]

———provide adequate coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for certain kidney transplant patients (S. 880), S4942 [15MY]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (S. 125), S401 [22JA]

———reductions in prescription drug prices (S. 699), S3451 [4AP], S8394 [30JY]

———reform (S. 1135), S7107 [28JN]

NIH: biomedical research funding, S3392 [4AP], S6565 [21JN]

———biomedical research funding (S. Res. 19), S1352 [13FE]

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.: tribute to CardCare discount drug program for senior citizens, S11784 [14NO]

Public Health Service Act: amend relative to pharmacy health professions programs (S. 1806), S12863 [11DE]

Taxation: allow Medicare beneficiaries a refundable credit for purchase of outpatient prescription drugs (S. 1600), S11288 [31OC]

———expand human clinical trials qualifying for the orphan drug credit (S. 1341), S8762 [2AU]

Terrorism: antitrust exemption for agreements reached with parties involved in the development of bioterrorism countermeasures, S13903 [20DE]

Reports

Liver Failure Risk for Diabetes Patients Taking Rezulin: David J. Graham and Lanh Green, E2207-E2209 [5DE]

Reports filed

Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2887) (H. Rept. 107-277), H8034 [9NO]

———Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Senate) (S. 838) (S. Rept. 107-79), S10286 [4OC]

Flu Vaccine Availability Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 943) (H. Rept. 107-168), H4723 [26JY]

Global Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Awareness, Education, and Treatment Act: Committee on International Relations (House) (H.R. 2069) (H. Rept. 107-137), H4008 [12JY]

Summaries

Drug Competition Act (S. 754), S3761 [6AP]

Tables

Drug price comparison, H3495 [25JN]

Estimated cost to consumers of exclusivity extensions for certain pediatric drugs, H8102 [13NO]

HIV/AIDS statistics, H1000 [20MR]

Texts of

H.R. 2069, Global Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Awareness, Education, and Treatment Act, H9089-H9093 [11DE]

H.R. 2887, Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, H8094-H8098 [13NO]

S. 10, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Act, S155-S163 [22JA]

S. 186, Generic Pharmaceutical Access and Choice for Consumers Act, S573 [25JA]

S. 215, Medication Equity and Drug Savings Act, S776 [30JA]

S. 463, Global Access to AIDS Treatment Act, S1903 [6MR]

S. 699, Prescription Drug Fairness for Seniors Act, S3451 [4AP]

S. 838, Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, S4422-S4424 [7MY]

S. 880, Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage Act, S4943 [15MY]

S. 925, Medicare Extension of Drugs to Seniors (MEDS) Act, S5447-S5455 [22MY]

S. 1185, Seniors Prescription Insurance Coverage Equity (SPICE) Act, S7809-S7818 [17JY]

S. 1239, Medicare Rx Drug Discount and Security Act, S8216-S8222 [25JY]

S. 1341, expand human clinical trials qualifying for the orphan drug tax credit, S8763 [2AU]

S. 1408, Veterans' Copayment Adjustment Act, S9199 [6SE]

S. 1635, Pathogen Research, Emergency Preparedness and Response Efforts (PREPARE) Act, S11489-S11491 [6NO]

S. 1789, Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, S13071-S13076 [12DE], H10200-H10204 [18DE]

S. 1806, Pharmacy Education Aid Act, S12863 [11DE]

S. Res. 19, NIH biomedical research funding, S1351 [13FE]

S. Res. 74, Medicare coverage of outpatient prescription drugs, S3927 [25AP]